Hot Water Supply Ideas

pcmc · 04-13-2013, 10:20 PM

In my bucket list I would like to eventually get rid of the 50 gallon electric water heater in the cellar and replace it with a wall mounted tankless system.

Could you offer ideas and advice as to which would be the best way to go, propane vs. electric?

(vacation spot used once a month or 1 week spurts when we are lucky)
It will be in a cottage drained and winterized in the fall, so draining the unit having the internals exposed every year is a concern of mine. Meaning when I last changed an electric heating element in the 50 gal tank it was coverd with corrosion. I'm not sure if that is from being summerged in the tank or exposed to open air all winter. The tank is flushed/ drained every fall. The new unit could be plumbed so antifreeze could fill the unit if that will help anything.

Also propane or electric? I am leaning towards propane thinking it will be cheaper in the long run, but I'm not sure long term how it will last being shut off most of the time. Will the internals rust and shorten the life span of the unit, or have issues trying to ignite when it hasen't been in use for so long?
The electric unit will only draw power when called for and no worries of gas leaks, BUT would require a huge generator should power go out. The generator issue really isn't a concern but an empty factor on the con's column. The service is 200amps so electric is feasible.

I appreciate all of your views, inputs, and thoughts, thanks.

04-13-2013, 10:20 PM	#1
pcmc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 412 Thanks: 211 Thanked 106 Times in 73 Posts	Hot Water Supply Ideas In my bucket list I would like to eventually get rid of the 50 gallon electric water heater in the cellar and replace it with a wall mounted tankless system. Could you offer ideas and advice as to which would be the best way to go, propane vs. electric? (vacation spot used once a month or 1 week spurts when we are lucky) It will be in a cottage drained and winterized in the fall, so draining the unit having the internals exposed every year is a concern of mine. Meaning when I last changed an electric heating element in the 50 gal tank it was coverd with corrosion. I'm not sure if that is from being summerged in the tank or exposed to open air all winter. The tank is flushed/ drained every fall. The new unit could be plumbed so antifreeze could fill the unit if that will help anything. Also propane or electric? I am leaning towards propane thinking it will be cheaper in the long run, but I'm not sure long term how it will last being shut off most of the time. Will the internals rust and shorten the life span of the unit, or have issues trying to ignite when it hasen't been in use for so long? The electric unit will only draw power when called for and no worries of gas leaks, BUT would require a huge generator should power go out. The generator issue really isn't a concern but an empty factor on the con's column. The service is 200amps so electric is feasible. I appreciate all of your views, inputs, and thoughts, thanks.